What would you do follow God? Love others? Absolutely. Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor? Done. What about forgiving the person who wronged you? Hmm. That’s a tough one. Are you sure I have to?
Jesus said so. Twice. The Lord’s Prayer implores God to “forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12). To make sure we get the point, Jesus told a story about a forgiven servant who refused to forgive others. His master was so incensed that he “sent the man to prison to be tortured.” And that, Jesus said, is “what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart” (Matthew 18:34-35).
So why is it so hard to forgive? We struggle because forgiveness doesn’t seem fair, and it doesn’t seem right. After what they did, they shouldn’t be able to apologize and have everything suddenly be okay. Forgiveness feels as if they’re “getting away with it.” We’re being victimized again.
Psalm 130:1-8 offers help for us who struggle to forgive. First, while we must offer forgiveness to those who wronged us, true reconciliation comes through forgiveness and repentance. The psalmist takes responsibility for his sin and is therefore prepared to be reconciled with God (Psalm 130:1-3). Full forgiveness can’t occur without repentance, and repentance means they aren’t “getting away with it.”
Second, notice that it’s God who first “[offered] forgiveness” (Psalm 130:4). We were at His mercy. But He chose to extend mercy and grace to us, thought it came at a high cost—the death of His Son. Forgiveness rarely comes easily, but it may help to remember that it’s a sign of true power and love.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 11:19-29
More:
Read Luke 23:32-43 to learn how Jesus’ forgiveness for the soldiers was different than that for the dying thief.
Next:
Is there someone you need to forgive? How does forgiveness display the amazing power of God?
GChoo on October 26, 2013 at 10:59 am
This devotion reminds me of my deep disappointment and hurt by a church pastor whom i trusted and looked up.
Forgiveness rarely comes easily. That i truly agree. It wasn’t easy for me. How can i ever forgive her for what she had done (the complexity i will not dwell into) to me or those who left because of her? I have worked so hard and made sacrifices for the church, how can God let this happened to us? I was left devastated with the experience and almost wanted to leave the faith as well.
I am glad to say, i am now even stronger in my faith than ever before. I am grateful that God, in the midst of my doubts and disappointment, He was there for me because I questioned, prayed and i seek for answers in His Word. God directed me to a wonderful church. I was slowly healed of my broken heart and realised the need to seek His grace and mercy for myself and to forgive my pastor. If i had used my head it will be a sign of ‘weakness’ and i will never have done it. Thank God for giving me a change of heart as i seek Him, and as you have said Mike ‘it’s a sign of true power and love’. Only through God, can we find ‘true power and love’ to forgive. I am now much in peace because i gave my burden to God. Colossians 3:12-17 brings to mind what i need to aim for always. Bless all.
mike wittmer on October 29, 2013 at 9:52 pm
GChoo: You are exactly right, forgiveness is an act of God. It is only his power that enables any of us to do this. I would add that you must pray and work toward releasing any bitterness or grudge, but you should not tell this pastor that she is forgiven until she repents and owns what she has done. You can make the offer of forgiveness, but do not confer it upon her until she repents. Repentance is a vital step for receiving forgiveness.
winn collier on October 31, 2013 at 2:45 pm
I’ve seen in Scripture recently how forgiveness is this powerful act that connects us to God’s grace released in the world. Thanks for returning me to this.
mrsptomey on November 16, 2013 at 9:52 pm
I feel like I’m wholehearted when I forgave my neibors son for walking on my porch and shooting my son for no good reason. I must admit I struggle with if I really forgive him. I pray every night to God that I forgive, is there a prayer I can use to help me in case I’m not properly forgiving?